Description
The 2020 edition of the GIE Small scale LNG map provides an updated overview as comprehensive as possible of the LNG infrastructures (large scale and small scale) offering LNG small-scale services in Europe.
The display has also been improved, in particular with specific tables, to make the readability even more user friendly.
Data shows that LNG infrastructures offering LNG small-scale services are continuing to develop strongly throughout Europe, thus allowing further development of LNG whether as fuel in maritime and heavy road transport or as off-grid energy solution.
- For road transport, the existing trend has been confirmed: there are now about 280 LNG fuelling stations in operation, while the milestone of the 200th station was reached just one year ago.
- For ships bunkering, the progress is even more striking: there are now 9 vessels dedicated to LNG bunkering, with 5 more expected to be delivered by the end of 2020, while three years ago there were only 2.
- Supplying industrial sites not connected to the gas grid is another expanding major usage of small-scale LNG.
Infrastructures offering small scale services expand the geographic availability of small-scale LNG onshore, on inland waterways or at sea. Related services are now or will soon be available in nearly all large-scale terminals, new projects of small-scale LNG terminals and small-scale liquefaction plants are also developing in more and more countries.
Moreover, an additional step allowing the energy transition has been taken: Liquid biomethane production plants are developing in several European countries.
LNG is an very attractive alternative to heavy fuel oil and diesel in freight transport and shipping, as well as in supply of off-grid sites, thanks to its superior environmental performance (up to 25% less CO2, up to 90% less NOx, negligible quantity sulphur and fine particulates).
The rapid growth of small-scale LNG illustrates its potential to pave the way to a greener energy future.
